Sinus dilation catheter

ABSTRACT

A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess or maxillary sinus) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/502,699 filed on June 29, 2011. Priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119. The above-noted Patent Application is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention generally relates to balloon inflation devices and methods. More particularly, the field of the invention relates to balloon dilation devices and methods for the treatment of sinusitis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sinusitis is a condition affecting over 35 million Americans, and similarly large populations in the rest of the developed world. Sinusitis occurs when one or more of the four paired sinus cavities (i.e., maxillary, ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid) becomes obstructed, or otherwise has compromised drainage. Normally the sinus cavities, each of which are lined by mucosa, produce mucous which is then moved by beating cilia from the sinus cavity out to the nasal cavity and down the throat. The combined sinuses produce approximately one liter of mucous daily, so the effective transport of this mucous is important to sinus health.

Each sinus cavity has a drainage pathway or outflow tract opening into the nasal passage. This drainage passageway can include an ostium, as well as a “transition space” in the region of the ostia, such as the “frontal recess,” in the case of the frontal sinus, or an “ethmoidal infundibulum,” in the case of the maxillary sinus. When the mucosa of one or more of the ostia or regions near the ostia become inflamed, the egress of mucous is interrupted, setting the stage for an infection and/or inflammation of the sinus cavity, i.e., sinusitis. Though many instances of sinusitis may be treatable with appropriate medicates, in some cases sinusitis persists for months or more, a condition called chronic sinusitis, and may not respond to medical therapy. Some patients are also prone to multiple episodes of sinusitis in a given period of time, a condition called recurrent sinusitis.

Balloon dilation has been applied to treat constricted sinus passageways for the treatment of sinusitis. These balloon dilation devices typically involve the use of an inflatable balloon located at the distal end of a catheter such as a balloon catheter. Generally, the inflatable balloon is inserted into the constricted sinus passageway in a deflated state. The balloon is then expanded to open or reduce the degree of constriction in the sinus passageway being treated to facilitate better sinus drainage and ventilation. At the same time most, if not all, of the functional mucosal tissue lining of the sinuses and their drainage passageways are preserved.

Exemplary devices and methods particularly suited for the dilation of anatomic structures associated with the maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,876 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0172033. Other systems have been described for the treatment of various other sinuses including the frontal sinus. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0097295 discloses a frontal sinus guide catheter (FIG. 6B) and method of treating the frontal sinuses (e.g., FIGS. 8B-8C). U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0125626 discloses another guide device (e.g., FIGS. 10C and 10C′) for transnasal access to the frontal sinuses for treatment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a method is disclosed of treating a sinus cavity of a subject using a balloon dilation catheter having a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. The method includes positioning a distal tip of the substantially rigid inner guide member behind an uncinate process; directing the distal tip along a lateral side of the uncinate process until the distal tip is positioned behind a lower aspect of the uncinate process; directing the distal tip into a maxillary sinus ostium; advancing the shaft and balloon in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon across the maxillary sinus ostium; and inflating the balloon.

In another embodiment, a method is disclosed of dilating an ethmoidal infundibulum of a subject using a balloon dilation catheter having a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. The method includes positioning a distal tip of the substantially rigid inner guide member behind an uncinate process at a first location within the ethmoidal infundibulum; advancing the shaft and balloon in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place at least a portion of the balloon within the ethmoidal infundibulum; and inflating the balloon.

In another embodiment of the invention, a balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a drainage pathway of a sinus cavity (e.g., frontal sinus cavity) of a subject using the balloon dilation catheter, the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are then advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. This enables the balloon to track over the inner guide member. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway. Where the sinus cavity is the frontal sinus cavity the drainage pathway is the frontal recess.

In another aspect of the invention, a device for dilating the outflow tract of a sinus cavity includes a substantially rigid inner guide member having a proximal end and a distal end and a shaft coupled to a balloon, the shaft having a first lumen along at least a portion thereof containing the substantially rigid inner guide member, the shaft having a second lumen operatively coupled to the interior of the balloon. A handle is disposed along a proximal portion of the substantially rigid inner guide member, the handle including a moveable knob operatively coupled to the shaft, wherein distal advancement of the knob advances the shaft and balloon over the substantially rigid inner guide in a distal direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a balloon dilation catheter according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a balloon dilation catheter of FIG. 1. The advancer knob is illustrated in the retracted, proximal position.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the balloon dilation catheter of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a balloon dilation catheter of FIG. 1. The advancer knob is illustrated in the advanced, distal position.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the balloon dilation catheter of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the handle portion (dashed line portion) of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the balloon dilation catheter taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the balloon dilation catheter taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a side view of an inner guide member according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a side view of an inner guide member according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a side view of an inner guide member according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a balloon dilation catheter according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the frontal sinus of a subject with the inner guide member of the balloon dilation catheter being advanced into the subject's frontal recess.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the frontal sinus of a subject with the inner guide member of the balloon dilation catheter being positioned in the subject's frontal recess. A guide wire is shown advanced through the catheter and into the subject's frontal sinus cavity.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the frontal sinus of a subject with the balloon (in a deflated state) and shaft being advanced into the subject's frontal recess.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the frontal sinus of a subject with the balloon of FIG. 10 in an inflated state to thereby widen and remodel the frontal recess.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the frontal sinus of a subject after the frontal sinus has been widened and the balloon inflation catheter withdrawn.

FIGS. 13A-13E illustrate various perspective and exploded views of one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a balloon dilation catheter 10 that is particularly suited for treatment of the outflow tract (frontal sinus ostium and frontal recess) of the frontal sinus of a subject. The balloon dilation catheter 10 includes a handle 12 that is configured to be gripped or otherwise manipulated by the operator. An elongate-shaped inner guide member 14 extends longitudinally from the handle 12 in a distal direction. The inner guide member 14 is formed of a suitably rigid material such as stainless steel hypotube. The inner guide member 14 projects or otherwise extends distally from the handle 12 for a pre-determined distance. The inner guide member 14 may be pre-shaped to have a curved distal portion 16 as is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, and 9. For example, the nature and degree of the curved distal portion 16 may be configured to match with the frontal sinus outflow tract or frontal recess.

Alternatively, the inner guide member 14 may have some degree of malleability such that the user may bend or impart some desired shape or configuration to the distal end of the inner guide member 14. As explained herein in more detail, the inner guide member 14 may include an optional lumen 18 (best illustrated in FIG. 5A) that extends the length of the inner guide member 14. In particular, the inner guide member 14 and the contained lumen 18 may extend from a distal end 20 to a proximal end 21 (best seen in FIGS. 2B and 3B) that interfaces with a sealed arrangement with a port 22 disposed at a proximal end 24 of the handle 12. The port 22 may be configured with a conventional interface such as a Luer connector. The port 22 may be used as an aspiration port or a delivery port for fluids and/or medicaments, or for introduction of a guide wire.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a shaft 30 is mounted about the periphery of the inner guide member 14. In particular, the shaft 30 is dimensioned to slide over the inner guide member 14 in response to actuation of an advancer knob 32 located on the handle 12. The advancer knob 32 is moveable along a slot 42 contained in a surface of the handle 12. A distal end 34 of the shaft 30 includes a balloon 36 that is configured to be selectively inflated or deflated as explained herein. During use, the inner guide member 14 is manipulated and advanced across or into the anatomical space of interest. The shaft 30 as well as the attached balloon 36 is illustrated in a retracted state in FIG. 1. While FIG. 1 illustrates the balloon 36 in an inflated state for better illustration, the balloon 36 is typically in a deflated state when the shaft 30 is in the proximal position as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. After the inner guide member 14 is properly positioned, the user actuates the advancer knob 32 by sliding the same in the distal direction which, in turn, advances the shaft 30 and balloon 36 in a distal direction over the pre-placed inner guide member 14. Once the balloon 36 is properly placed, the balloon 36 is inflated. Inflation of the balloon 36 is accomplished using an inflation device (not shown) that is coupled to a port 38 located at the proximal end 24 of the handle 12. One exemplary inflation device that may be used in connection with the balloon dilation catheter 10 is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010-0211007, which is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein. Of course, other inflation devices may also be used. An inflation lumen 48 contained within the shaft 30 (described in more detail below), fluidically couples the port 38 to an interior portion of the balloon 36.

Still referring to FIG. 1, an optional support member 40 in the form of a tube may be located about the external periphery of a portion of the shaft 30 to impart further stiffness to the balloon dilation catheter 10. The particular length of the support member 40 may vary depending on the application and may extend along some or all or the shaft 30. The support member 40 may be made of a metallic material such as stainless steel hypotube that is secured to the shaft 30. The support member 40 may be welded or bonded along a length of the shaft 30. Generally, the support member 40 does not cover the helical portion (described in detail below) of the shaft 30 that is contained within the handle 12.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate, respectively, side and cross-sectional views of the balloon dilation catheter 10 with the advancer knob 32 and thus balloon 36 in the proximal position. In actual use, as explained herein, the balloon 36 is typically in a deflated state when the advancer knob 32 is the proximal position as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As best seen in FIG. 1, the advancer knob 32 is slidably disposed along a length of the handle 12 inside a slot 42. The advancer knob 32 is thus able to slide back and forth in the distal/proximal direction along the length of the slot 42. The slot 42 may incorporate a stop or the like (not shown) to prevent the balloon 36 from being advance too far along the length of the inner guide member 14. The length of the slot 42 may be varied in different devices to adjust the length at which the balloon 36 may be advanced. Generally, the slot 42 has a length within the range of about 1 inch to about 2 inches although other dimensions may fall within the scope of the invention.

As seen in FIG. 2B, the advancer knob 32 may be directly coupled to the support member 40 that is mounted on the shaft 30. Alternatively, the advancer knob 32 may be coupled directly to the shaft 30. The advancer knob 32 may be configured or otherwise shaped to enable a finger of the user (e.g., index finger or thumb) to easily advance or retract the knob 32 along the slot 42 contained in the handle 12.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate, respectively, side and cross-sectional views of the balloon dilation catheter 10 with the advancer knob 32 and thus balloon 36 in the distal position. Thus, unlike the configurations of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the advancer knob 32 is located at or near the distal end 26 of the handle 12. Advancement of the advancer knob 32 also slides the shaft 30 and attached balloon 36 in a distal direction (arrow A in FIG. 3A) along the inner guide member 14. The balloon 36 thus is positioned at or adjacent to the distal end 20 of the inner guide member 14. The balloon dilation catheter 10 may be designed such that the advancer knob 32 may be positioned at either the proximal or distal extremes as illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B. Alternatively, the advancer knob 32 may be positioned somewhere in between the two extremes. For example, the optimal position of the balloon 36 may be accomplished by sliding the advancer knob 32 some fraction (e.g., %) of the full distance of the slot 42.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3B, the inner guide member 14 of the balloon dilation catheter 10 extends from a distal end 20 to a proximal end 21 that terminates in a sealed interface with a port 22 disposed at a proximal end 24 of the handle 12. The inner guide member 14 optionally includes a lumen 18 disposed therein that may be used to provide aspiration functionality via an aspiration device (not shown) coupled to port 22. Aspiration functionality permits the removal of blood and other secretions. This makes it easier to visualize the placement of the balloon dilation catheter 10. The inner guide member 14 is advantageously rigid to enable the balloon dilation catheter 10 to be positioned without the need of a separate guiding catheter or guide wire in most, if not all, instances.

The inner guide member 14 may have a length of about 7 inches to about 11 inches from the distal end 20 to the proximal end 21 when loaded into the handle 12, although other dimensions may be used. The inner guide member 14 may be formed from stainless steel hypotube having an inner diameter in the range of about 0.020 inch to about 0.050 inch, and more preferably between about 0.036 inch and 0.040 inch, with a wall thickness within the range of about 0.005 inch to about 0.020 inch, and more preferably between about 0.008 inch to about 0.012 inch. The curved distal portion 16 of the inner guide member 14 may be formed right to the distal end 20 and may have a radius of curvature of about 0.25 inch to about 1.5 inch, and more preferably about 0.75 to about 1.25 inch.

The length of the inner guide member 14 that projects distally from the distal-most portion of the balloon 36 is about 0.5 inch to about 2.0 inch, and more preferably, about 0.8 inch to about 1.2 inch when the balloon 36 is in the fully retracted state (e.g., illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B). As seen in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A-6C, 7-11, the distal end 20 of the inner guide member 14 may incorporate an optional bulbous tip 44 in order to make the distal end 20 more atraumatic. The bulbous tip 44 further serves to limit forward movement of the balloon 36 and attached shaft 30 when they are advanced distally. The outer diameter of the tip 44 is preferably between about 1 mm and about 3 mm.

The balloon 36 is mounted on the shaft 30 so as to form a fluidic seal between the two components. The balloon 36 may be bonded to the shaft using a weld, adhesive, or the like. Alternately, the balloon 36 may be secured to the shaft using a mechanical connection. Generally, any technique known to those skilled in the art may be used to secure to the balloon 36 to the shaft 30. Given that the balloon 36 is secured directly to the shaft 30, both structures are slidably mounted over the inner guide member 14. The balloon 36 generally takes on a cylindrical-shape when inflated. While not limited to specific dimensions, the inflated balloon 36 has a diameter within the range of about 3 mm to about 9 mm, and more preferably a diameter within the range of about 5 to about 7 mm when inflated. The length of the balloon 36 may generally fall within the range of about 10 mm to 25 mm although other lengths may be used. Both the shaft 30 and the balloon 36 are preferably formed of high strength but flexible polymeric materials such as polyamides (e.g., Nylon), PEBAX or the like. The balloon 36 may be “blow molded” to a relatively thin wall thickness, and capable of holding relatively high pressures from about 6 atmospheres to about 20 atmospheres of inflation pressure. The balloon 36 is inflated using a fluid which is typically a liquid such as water or saline.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a magnified, cross-sectional view of a portion of the handle 12 is illustrated. At the proximal end 24 of the handle 12 are located ports 22, 38. The port 22 may be configured with a conventional interface such as a Luer connector or any other connector known to those skilled in the art. The port 22 may be integrally formed with the handle 12 or, alternatively, the port 22 may be a separate structure that is secured to the handle 12 during assembly. As seen in FIG. 4, the proximal end 21 of the inner guide member 14 forms a sealing arrangement with the port 22. As explained herein, the port 22 may be used as an aspiration port or a delivery port for fluids and/or medicaments.

FIG. 4 also illustrates port 38 which may be constructed in the same or similar manner as port 22 as described above. The port 38 is fluidically coupled to the inflation lumen 48 in the shaft 30. In this regard, inflation fluid from an inflation device (not shown) is able to pass through the port 38 and into the inflation lumen 48 of the shaft 30. The port 38 may be configured with a conventional interface such as a Luer connector. The fluid then is able to travel along the length of the shaft 30 via the lumen 48 where the fluid enters the interior of the balloon 36. The inflation fluid is thus able to inflate the balloon 36 upon actuation of the inflation device.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a portion of the handle 12 includes a recessed region 50 that receives both the inner guide member 14 and the shaft 30. In the recessed region 50 of the handle 12, the shaft 30 is helically wrapped around the outer periphery of the inner guide member 14 forming a helical portion 52. The helical portion 52 facilitates the distal advancement and proximal retraction of the shaft 30 and attached balloon 36 along the inner guide member 14 yet still maintains fluid communication with the port 38. The helical portion 52 of the shaft 30, which is located proximal to the advancer knob 32 is in the shape of a helix that wraps around the inner guide member 14 and is configured to elongate and contract upon movement of the advancer knob 32. FIG. 4 illustrates the state of the helical portion 52 after the advancer knob 32 has been advanced distally. Thus, in the extended state, the length of the helical portion 52 traverses much if not all of the recessed region 50. Contrast this with FIG. 2B which illustrates the helical portion 52 compressed to the proximal portion of the recessed region 50 because the advancer knob 32 is the in proximal position. Thus, the helical portion 52 is thus able to expand or compress much in the way that a spring does in response to a tensile or compressive load. One or both of the inner guide member 14 and the helical portion 52 of the shaft 30 may be optionally coated or lined with a lubricious coating to prevent the contact surfaces from any unwanted frictional binding or the like.

The helical portion 52 of the shaft 30 may be formed by “skiving” away a portion of the shaft 30. FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shaft 30, inner support guide 14, and support member 40 along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2B. As seen in FIG. 2B, this area is distal to where the helical portion 52 of the shaft 30 is located. Referring now to FIG. 5A, the shaft 30 includes a rider lumen 54 that is dimensioned to have a diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner support guide 14. The rider lumen 54 thus enables the shaft 30 to advance and retract over the inner support guide 14 in a close-fit arrangement. The outer diameter of the shaft 30 may generally fall within the range of about 0.050 inch to about 0.110 inch or within the range of about 0.070 inch to about 0.100 inch. One or both of the exterior surface of the inner guide member 14 and the interior surface of the rider lumen 54 may be optionally coated with a lubricious coating to reduce frictional contact forces. FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the inner support guide 14 and the helical portion 52 of the shaft 30 taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 5B, a portion of the shaft 30 that includes the rider lumen 54 is skived away. The result is that a single lumen (inflation lumen 48) remains in the shaft 30 that is helically wrapped about the inner support guide 14.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate various embodiments of an inner guide member 14. The inner guide member 14 may have a variety of shapes and configurations depending on the particular application or patient. The different shapes of the inner guide member 14 may be factory-formed in a particular shape and offered as a different model as fully assembled or, alternatively, the inner guide member 14 may be replaceable or modular elements that could slide inside the rider lumen 54 and inserted into the port 22 in a press-fit type sealing arrangement. In yet another alternative, the shapes could represent desirable shapes that a malleable inner guide member 14 could be formed into by the user to better fit a particular application or subject's anatomy.

FIG. 6A illustrates an inner guide member 14 that includes a curved distal portion 16 that terminates in a straight segment 46. In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the curve in the curved distal portion 16 is pronounced and turns back on itself in the shape of a “U” in which the distal end 20 turns back in retrograde fashion. This embodiment may be useful to treat hard to reach ostia or other structures, e.g., the maxillary ostium or the infundibulum via a transnasal route, if the nasal anatomy will allow for a trans-nasal approach. While FIG. 6A illustrates a “U” shaped curve, other degrees of curvature are contemplated. FIG. 6B illustrates an inner guide member 14 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the curved distal portion 16 also terminates in a straight segment 46 although the radius of curvature is less pronounced. In this embodiment, the straight segment 46 may have a length within the range of about 8 mm to about 10 mm although other lengths may be used. For example, there may be a distal leg or straight segment 46 leg that is between about 10 and about 12 millimeters in length that extends from the curved portion. It is believed that this embodiment is particularly suited for most frontal recess anatomy. FIG. 6C illustrates an embodiment in which the inner guide member 14 is substantially straight. This later embodiment may be particularly suited for treating the sphenoids of the subject, or straightforward frontal recess anatomy.

FIG. 7 illustrates a balloon dilation catheter 10 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, a tracking element 60 is located on the handle 12 of the balloon dilation catheter 10. The tracking element 60 may include an antenna, transmitter, optical reflectors, or the like that communicates a wireless signal that is then received and processed to determine the orientation and/or positioning of the balloon dilation catheter 10. In certain embodiments, more than one tracking element 60 may be disposed on the balloon dilation catheter 10. Data regarding the orientation and/or positioning of the balloon dilation catheter 10 may then be processed and displayed on the display for viewing by the physician. For example, image guided surgery is becoming increasingly commonplace, permitting physicians to review real time actual or virtual images of a particular device within a subject during a surgical procedure.

For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,391,199 and 5,443,489, which are incorporated by reference, describe a system wherein coordinates of an intrabody probe are determined using one or more field sensors such as, Hall effect devices, coils, or antennas that are carried on the probe. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002-0065455, which is also incorporated by reference, describes a system that is capable of generating a six-dimensional position and orientation representation of the tip of a catheter using a combination of sensor and radiation coils. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0269596, which is also incorporated by reference, describes yet another monitoring system that has particular applications in orthopedic procedures. Commercial systems such as the LANDMARX Element (Medtronic Xomed Products, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.) are available for use in conjunction with ENT procedures.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the tracking element 60 permits accurate tracking of the distal end 20 of the balloon dilation catheter 10 such that an image of distal portion of the balloon dilation catheter 10 may be superimposed on a patient's anatomical imagery. For example, a previously conducted computed tomography (CT) scan of the patient may be used to generate a visual image of the patient's anatomical regions of interest. Based on the location of the tracking element 60, an image guided surgery (IGS) system can then superimpose an image of the balloon dilation catheter 10 onto the image to better enable the physician to manipulate and orient the balloon dilation catheter 10.

Other commercial systems may also be used in connection with the balloon dilation catheter 10 illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, the INSTATRAK 3500 Plus—ENT from GE Healthcare, Chalfont St. Giles, United Kingdom may be integrated and/or used with the balloon dilation catheter 10. The use of CT guidance to position the balloon dilation catheter 10 is preferred because the device may be positioned by the operator with just a single hand, while viewing the CT image interface (e.g., display) at the same time the handle 12 is manipulated. Optionally, the balloon dilation catheter 10 may be initially positioned using and endoscope or other visualization tool. For instance, a conventional “Hopkins rod” endoscope (not shown) may be manipulated alongside the balloon dilation catheter 10 to aid in placement.

FIGS. 8-12 illustrate various cross-sectional views (sagittal plane) of the frontal sinus of a subject undergoing treatment with a balloon dilation catheter 10. The cross-sectional views illustrate the nasal passageway 100, the frontal recess 102, and the frontal sinus cavity 104. Referring to FIG. 8, the balloon dilation catheter 10 is inserted into the nasal passageway 100 with the advancer knob 32 in the retracted position (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1, 2A, 2B) such that the shaft 30 and balloon 36 are also retracted proximally. In addition, the balloon 36 is in a deflated state as seen in FIG. 8. The curved portion 16 of the inner guide member 14 is then positioned within the frontal recess 102 of the subject as seen in FIG. 8. This positioning of the inner guide member 14 may be accomplished under endoscopic visualization using a conventional endoscope such as a Hopkins rod-type endoscope that is positioned alongside the balloon dilation catheter 10. Alternatively, the inner guide member 14 may be positioned using IGS techniques that track the position of the balloon dilation catheter 10 using one or more tracking elements 60 as illustrated, for instance, in the embodiment of FIG. 7. For instance, the inner guide member 14 may be advanced under guidance from CT imaging.

Referring now to FIG. 9, confirmation of accurate positioning of the inner guide member 14 within the frontal recess 102 may be accomplished by placement of a fluoroscopically visible guide wire 64 through the lumen 18 of the inner guide member 14. The guide wire 64 may be inserted into the lumen 18 via the port 22. Under fluoroscopic visualization, the guide wire 64 can be seen to advance into the frontal sinus cavity 104 once the inner guide member 14 is positioned properly within the frontal recess 102. If the guide wire 64 does not advance into the frontal sinus cavity 104, the balloon dilation catheter 10 is re-positioned and confirmation is subsequently attempted. As an alternative to a fluoroscopically visible guide wire 64, the guide wire 64 could be a light emitting guide wire such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007-0249896, which is incorporated by reference herein. Of course, the guide wire 64 is optional as the inner guide member 14 may be placed without the aid or need for the same. Alternatively, the guide wire 64 could be positioned in the frontal sinus initially, prior to placement of the balloon catheter 10.

Now referring to FIG. 10, once the curved portion 16 of the inner guide member 14 is properly positioned, the advancer knob 32 is advanced in the distal direction (arrow A of FIG. 3A) thereby advancing the shaft 30 and attached balloon 36 into the frontal recess 102. This is illustrated in FIG. 10. After the balloon 36 is positioned in the frontal recess 102, the balloon 36 is inflated as illustrated in FIG. 11. Inflation is accomplished by coupling an inflation device (not shown) to the port 38. The inflation device may include a syringe or the like that is depressed to infuse a fluid into the inflation lumen 48 which then passes into the interior of the balloon 36 to effectuate expansion of the balloon 36 to the state illustrated in FIG. 11. Pressures typically used to accomplish widening or remodeling of the frontal recess 102 are within the range of about 3 atmospheres to about 12 atmospheres. The balloon 36 may be inflated only a single time or, alternatively, the balloon 36 may be inflated, deflated, and inflated again a plurality of times in order to achieve the desired degree of widening. Each inflation step may be performed after positioning the balloon 36 in a different position within the frontal recess 102.

After the frontal recess 102 has been widened or otherwise remodeled, the balloon 36 is deflated and removed as illustrated in FIG. 12. The widened frontal recess 102 illustrated in FIG. 12 is believed to restore the drainage and aeration function and health of the frontal sinus cavity 104. Deflation of the balloon 36 is accomplished by reducing the fluid pressure within the interior of the balloon 36. For example, the plunger of a syringe or the like that is fluidically coupled to the port 38 may be withdrawn to remove fluid from the interior of the balloon 36. The balloon dilation catheter 10 can then be withdrawn proximally from the nasal passageway 100.

In certain patients, treatment of one or both frontal sinuses 104 as described above may be adequate. In other patients, additional sinuses may need to be treated, particularly the maxillary and/or anterior ethmoid sinuses. In such patients, a combination procedure may be well suited. The maxillary and/or anterior ethmoid sinuses can be treated with a system such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,876 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0172033, commercially available as the FinESS system by Entellus Medical, Inc. of Maple Grove, Minn. Alternatively, other sinuses could be treated more conventionally using surgical techniques such as, for instance, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).

Also, the sphenoid and/or maxillary sinus outflow tracts could be dilated with the embodiments of the balloon catheter 10 described herein. It is also contemplated that the balloon catheter 10, particularly the embodiment of FIG. 7 with a suitable IGS device is incorporated, and with an appropriate shape for the inner support member 14, preferably straight as illustrated in FIG. 6C, could be used to dilate the maxillary sinus outflow tract via the canine fossa route. Suitable access tools are described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009-0216196, which is incorporated by reference herein. This could be performed without need for additional endoscopic visualization, permitting treatment through a relatively small diameter access passageway into the sinus cavity in the region of the canine fossa. A small endoscope (not shown) could be utilized, if desired, through the lumen 18 of the inner support member 14 to further aid in visualization of the maxillary sinus outflow tract.

Of course, the balloon catheter 10 described herein may be used to dilate the maxillary sinus ostia via a transnasal route as well. For example, a balloon catheter 10 such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 7, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D may be used.

In one aspect of the invention, the balloon dilation catheter used for sinus dilation includes an inner guide member that terminates in a malleable distal tip. The malleable distal tip may include an atraumatic ball tip (e.g., around 2 mm in diameter). The distal tip of the inner guide member may be placed at a desired anatomical location and a shaft coupled to a dilation balloon can then be advanced along the inner guide member to selectively place the balloon along or within the location. In some embodiments, the balloon dilation catheter includes illumination functionality at the distal tip of the device. For example, one or more light fibers may traverse along all or a portion of the balloon dilation catheter. The one or more light fibers may direct light from a proximal end of the balloon dilation catheter out through the distal tip of the tool. The light may be used to aid in direct visualization of anatomical features of the sinus cavity or sinus drainage pathway or to confirm a location within the nasal or sinus system. For example, in addition to or as an alternative to direct visualization, light emitted from the distal end of the tool may be used for transillumination purposes to, for example, confirm the positioning of the distal tip within a particular sinus cavity (e.g., maxillary sinus).

The one or more light fibers may be secured to the dilation catheter or, alternatively, the one or more light fibers may be removably secured within the dilation catheter such that the one or more light fibers can be removed from the tool at some point during use. The one or more light fibers may terminate substantially at or adjacent to the atraumatic ball tip. In other embodiments, the one or more light fibers may themselves include an atraumatic tip (e.g., spherical ball tip). Details regarding various configurations of a dilation catheter with light fiber functionality can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012-0071727, which is incorporated by reference herein.

In one aspect, a single dilation catheter can be used to dilate multiple sinus drainage pathways. When features of the maxillary sinus are to be dilated in conjunction with other sinus features, it is preferable to treat the maxillary sinus after the other sinuses have been treated.

After treating other sinuses, the malleable distal tip of a dilation catheter (optionally with a light fiber functionality) is bent using a bending tool. A bend of approximately 135° with a 10-12 mm leg is generally recommended when treating the maxillary ostia/ethmoid infundibula to gain access to the natural maxillary ostium, though small adjustments to the bend may be considered to accommodate different patient anatomy. After the distal portion of the device is bent, and prior to insertion into the nose, the balloon is fully advanced forward to the ball tip so that the physician will know the degree of force generally required for balloon advancement. Moreover, such advancement also pre-conditions the balloon shaft to more easily advance around the bend in the distal end of the inner guide member.

Optionally, a separate maxillary seeker can be used to cannulate the ostium before the dilation catheter is inserted into the nasal cavity. Cannulating the maxillary ostium with a separate seeker can provide the physician with a visual reference of the angle and position that the dilation catheter will take when it is subsequently inserted into the ostium. Cannulating the maxillary ostium with a separate seeker may also increase the infundibular width, making it easier to later position the atraumatic ball tip of the dilation catheter behind the uncinate process.

Maxillary ostia are typically found in the lower aspect of the uncinate process, usually behind the lowest fifth of the uncinate process. So the distal tip of the inner guide member should be positioned behind this lower aspect of the uncinate process.

The distal tip may be inserted into nasal anatomy in either a “tip up” or “tip down” orientation, depending upon the particulars of the patient's anatomy. If a large bula is present, a “tip up” orientation may be more easily inserted behind the uncinate process. If rotation of the ball tip is difficult, it may be necessary to first dilate the infundibulum with the balloon from the dilation catheter. If infundibular dilation is needed prior to attempting to cannulate the maxillary ostium, the distal tip of the inner guide member is advanced behind the uncinate process and the balloon is advanced and dilated. This can be done at the inferior or superior aspect of the uncinate and infundibulum—or at both locations by repositioning of the balloon at the different locations. This dilation of the infundibulum can be useful for increasing the working space so that the distal tip of the inner guide member can be more easily rotated into position to cannulate the natural maxillary ostium.

When using the dilation catheter itself to cannulate the ostium, it is important to avoid the fontanelle. One way to accomplish this is to guide the distal tip of the inner guide along the lateral side of the uncinate process to both avoid the fontanelle and guide the distal tip directionally toward the maxillary ostium. While doing so, the physician can visualize the ball tip of the inner guide slightly deflecting the uncinate medially (antero-medially). It should be noted again that the ball tip should be positioned behind the lower aspect of the uncinate process (typically in the lowest ˜20% of the uncinate process). This process of riding the distal tip of the inner guide along the lateral side of the uncinate process may be done with or without illumination of light from the distal tip of the dilation catheter. Illumination may better aid in visualizing the ball in contact with the uncinate. The light may also be used to transilluminate the uncinate process to verify that the ball tip is in contact with the back side of the uncinate and to show the physician the location of the ball tip during cannulation of the ostium.

If the 135° bend in the distal tip of the inner guide prevents the ball tip from being placed behind the uncinate process, it may be helpful to reshape the distal portion of the inner guide to decrease the angle of the bend slightly. This will often be a bend of around 115° to around 125°. After making the adjustment, the ball tip of the dilation catheter can then be guided along the back side of the uncinate process to ensure that the ball tip does not penetrate the posterior fontanelle.

After the ostium has been found, the handle of the dilation catheter may be pulled anteriorly and inferiorly before inflation such that the uncinate process is deflected with a “v” notch formed in the upper lip of the uncinate at the point of contact with the inner guide member of the dilation catheter. Once the balloon is advanced and in place within the natural ostium, the balloon is inflated. Before and during inflation, the handle may be pulled anteriorly and inferiorly to ensure that the balloon is fully into the ostium. In addition, the advancer knob or slide may be fully advanced in the distal direction and maintained in that advanced state during inflation to ensure that the balloon does not move backward on the inner guide member during inflation. After the initial dilation of the maxillary ostium, the expanded infundibular width may be used to seat the ball tip further into the maxillary ostium and a second dilation may optionally be performed. After the desired dilations, the balloon is deflated and retracted proximally from the maxillary drainage pathway. Optionally, the superior portion of the uncinate and infundibulum may be dilated after the ostium has been dilated. In some embodiments, the invention includes a surgical procedure where the uncinate and infundibulum are dilated with one of the balloon catheters of the invention, but the associated maxillary ostium is not dilated.

FIGS. 13A-13E illustrate another embodiment of the present invention that includes balloon dilation catheter 1310. Catheter 1310 is similar to previous embodiments of the invention and includes handle 1312, inner guide member 1314 (which defines a lumen extending from port 1322 to its distal end 1326), shaft 1330, and balloon 1336. Catheter 1310 also, however, includes suction vent port 1370 that allows a user of this embodiment to control suction applied by distal end 1320 of inner guide member 1314. FIG. 13B illustrates an exploded view of catheter 1310 showing vent tube 1371 and valve seat 1372. FIG. 13C illustrates a cut-away view of handle 1312 of catheter 1310. FIG. 13D illustrates an exploded view of catheter 1310 that omits inner guide member 1314 for clarity. FIG. 13E illustrate an exploded view of just vent tube 1371 and valve seat 1372.

Tube 1371 and seat 1372 are situated within an interior space defined by handle 1312 and are in fluid communication with vent port 1370 and the lumen defined by inner guide member 1314. Hence, vent port 1370, tube 1371, seat 1372, the lumen defined by inner guide member 1314, distal end 1320 of inner guide member 1314, and port 1322 are all in fluid communication with one another. When a user of catheter 1310 attaches a vacuum source to port 1322, a suction force will be produced at each of the distal end 1320 and vent port 1370. During use, when a vacuum source is attached to port 1322, a user of catheter 1310 can use a single finger to occlude or block vent port 1370 in order to increase the amount of suction at distal end 1320 of inner guide member 1314. Removing the finger from vent port 1370 will increase the amount of suction at vent port 1370 while reducing the amount of suction at distal end 1320 of inner guide member 1314. In this way, a user can use a single hand to manipulate catheter 1310, control the amount of suction produced at distal end 1320 of inner guide member 1314, and advance a balloon (like previous embodiments, balloon 1336 and shaft 1330 can be advanced along inner guide member 1314 using advancer knob 1332). Valve 1373 prevents aspirate collected at distal end 1320 from entering tube 1371 and seat 1372.

Catheter 1310 also includes inflation lumen 1348, as best illustrated in FIGS. 13B, 13C, and 13D. Similar to the previously described embodiments, inflation lumen 1348 provides a fluid channel between inflation port 1338 and the interior of balloon 1336 through which an inflation medium can be directed. The inflation lumen of catheter 1310 does not include a helical portion wrapped about an inner guide member, but instead has portion 1352 that is looped or folded back upon itself. The looped portion 1352 provides sufficient slack in inflation lumen 1348 so that balloon 1336 can be advanced along inner guide 1314 while keeping balloon 1336 in fluid communication with inflation portion 1338.

While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except to the following claims, and their equivalents. 

1. A method of treating the maxillary sinus ostium of a subject using a balloon dilation catheter having a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member comprising: positioning a distal tip of the substantially rigid inner guide member behind an uncinate process; directing the distal tip along a lateral side of the uncinate process until the distal tip is positioned behind a lower aspect of the uncinate process; directing the distal tip into a maxillary sinus ostium; advancing the shaft and balloon in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon across the maxillary sinus ostium; and inflating the balloon.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including determining a position of the distal tip behind the uncinate process, wherein determining the position of the distal tip includes observing through the uncinate process a light emitted from the distal tip.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a distal portion of the substantially rigid inner guide member includes a bend with a distal leg that is between about 10 and about 12 millimeters in length.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the substantially rigid inner guide member is directed into a nasal cavity of the subject in a tip up orientation.
 5. The method of claim 1, further including inserting a distal portion of a maxillary seeker into the maxillary sinus ostium prior to positioning the distal tip of the substantially rigid inner guide member behind the uncinate process.
 6. A method of dilating an ethmoidal infundibulum of a subject using a balloon dilation catheter having a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member comprising: positioning a distal tip of the substantially rigid inner guide member behind an uncinate process at a first location within the ethmoidal infundibulum; advancing the shaft and balloon in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place at least a portion of the balloon within the ethmoidal infundibulum; and inflating the balloon.
 7. The method of claim 6, further including repositioning the balloon at a second location in the ethmoidal infundibulum and inflating the balloon.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first location is behind an inferior aspect of the uncinate process and the second location is behind a superior aspect of the uncinate process.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein a maxillary sinus ostium of the subject is not dilated in the same surgical procedure. 